Peace Between Nations, Not Just Leaders

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman met with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton , in Brussels on Wednesday. The meeting covered topics relating to the Middle East and Israel’s relations with the European Union.

Lieberman relayed to Ashton that a major problem of past agreements with Israel’s neighbors is that the agreements were made between Israel and the leaders of neighboring countries. The agreements were not made with the people of the neighboring nations and thus have not led to real peace between Israel and its neighbors.

In the future, he asserted, peace accords must be signed between nations; agreements that are supported by the general public, and by major public figures in both countries. This type of agreement, based on mutual respect and tolerance, will lead to real appeasement between Israel and its bordering countries, and not continued hatred towards Israel.

In the meeting, Lieberman requested of Ashton that the European Union include the organization Hizbullah among its list of terrorist organizations. He explained that Hizbullah’s terrorist actions are well known, and as long as they are not listed as a terrorist organization, there will be repercussions on regional stability in the Middle East and global security.